Sussman, Braiman clash over Buffalo Grove's downtown decisions

The candidates for Buffalo Grove village president engaged in spirited sparring at a debate held Thursday night at Stevenson High School.

Challenger Trustee Beverly Sussman stressed her independence, identified herself with the average voter and promoted transparency. Incumbent Jeffrey Braiman, on the board since 1991, emphasized his long experience, his leadership in the region and his ability to lead the village in the face of financial challenges from the state.

The two candidates clashed over a recent developer's proposal, since dropped, to build a new downtown.

Answering a question about leadership style, Sussman said, "I think it is very important to be objective and to look at it and not come to a decision until everything is heard and until the last word on the subject is made, and then you can make a decision."

Taking his cue from that statement, Braiman said, "When the issue about the downtown came up, she made a decision before any of the facts were available."

Sussman responded: "I don't think I made a decision before any of the facts were available. But I think the most important fact that I was looking at to begin with was that it was a floodplain."

As for the original "downtown," Sussman said that she hopes to see the struggling Town Center strip center in the next 10 years become fully occupied and draw people from outside the community.

Braiman said he has met with the developer to encourage redevelopment, but there are only certain things the village can do. "We can push him. We can lead him to the trough, but we can't make him drink, as they say."

On the issue of when it's appropriate to seek voter opinion on an issue, such as the downtown, in a referendum question, Braiman said he preferred an Internet survey, which would give residents an opportunity to state their preferences.

Sussman said the trustees were elected by the voters to represent them, but from time to time, an issue comes up where a referendum is needed.

For example, the proposed downtown would have been build in part on a municipal golf course.

"We were selling public land for private purposes, for private enterprise," she said. "This is one time that a referendum should have been had … a binding referendum at that."

Braiman said only 2,000 to 3,000 people would likely be voting.

"Does that mean that a thousand people are going to determine what's going to be good for 43,000? I think that a survey is a much more effective way to find out how the people feel."

Braiman challenged Sussman's claim to be business-friendly, saying she has voted against businesses at least 20 times.

Sussman replied that she went through the minutes of village board meetings since she became a trustee "and I hate to tell you your numbers are wrong."

The combative spirit continued into closing statements.

Braiman's comments not only targeted Sussman but also non-incumbent trustee candidates.

"My opponent and others running for elective office suggest you vote for change," he said. "Change to what? Change from one of the best 50 places to live to one of the worst? Change from the second safest city in Illinois to an unsafe city? Change from a AAA-bond-rated community to a junk-bond-rated community? Change from a village with a balanced budget to a deficit budget?"

Noting that the governor has made it clear the next four years are going to be financially challenging for municipalities, he said: "We don't need change. We don't need uncertainty. We need consistency."

Sussman said: "I am honest, competent, intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable and very passionate in what I do. I am independent. I am not a rubber stamp. I will listen to you with respect. I will always work out in the open."

She also took one last dig at Braiman, bringing up his recent bid for judge.

"Even my opponent is looking for change. He ran for judge last year."